Over 300 students and parents from across the city convened at the Illinois Institute of Technology on Saturday, March 18th, at 9 a.m., for the AeroSTEM Youth Aviation Expo. The event, to be held at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Hermann Hall, 3241 S. Federal Street, is designed to increase diversity in STEM fields, giving children of all backgrounds an opportunity to learn about potential career paths.
After School Matters teens from the AeroStars Aviation Exploration Apprenticeship Programs at Perspectives/IIT Math and Science Academy, Air Force Academy High School, and Urban Prep Academy (Bronzeville campus) hosted the AeroSTEM Youth Aviation Expo. This event is sponsored by AeroStar— a nationally-recognized afterschool program that introduces underserved youth to careers in STEM and aviation. The organization has partnered with the Illinois Institute of Technology to make this expo possible.
“AeroStar is proud to bring this event to the South Side community,” said Tammera Holmes, founder and CEO of AeroStar. “It’s important that these kids understand the wealth of opportunities that STEM fields have to offer.”
The expo will foster hands-on interaction, allowing students to try out STEM activities such as flying mini-drones, use flight simulators, and talk to educators about future STEM pathways. They will also receive “minute mentoring” sessions from industry professionals, including pilots, engineers, robotics teachers, and STEM entrepreneurs. Parents who attend will receive information about various STEM afterschool programs where they can enroll their children.
“Above all, we want these kids to know that STEM is for everyone— it’s not just for people who look a certain way or come from a certain background,” Holmes said.
This expo is free and open to all students ages 12 and up. Holmes encourages interested parties to register on EventBrite.com under the event title: “AeroSTEM Youth Expo 2017.”
For additional information on Aerostar, visit the organization’s website http://www.avioninstitute.org/.
